Temporary filling has broken and come out

[Harris]

Hi

I have recently been to see my dentist for dental treatment and he prepared my tooth for an inlay. He took some moulds of my tooth and sent it off for the inlay to be made off site.

In the mean time he made a temporary filling for my tooth and that was in place for the past week. Tonight, the temporary filling has broken and has come out completely. I now have a large hole inside my tooth which I can feel with my tongue.

My tooth is sensitive when I drink water and there is a sharp pain when cold drinks pass over the tooth. I would like to know if I have to come in for a new temporary filling or can I leave it as it is, if the pain does not become much worst. He was due to remove the temporary filling and fit the inlay next week, so I would only need to put up with this until then.

From my point of view, I would not like to see any damage to my tooth and don't mind coming in for a new temporary filling if that would be the best thing to do for the tooth.

[Dr Mohsen J. Esfahani]

Hi

Thank you for your question. A tooth that has lost its temporary filling could be at risk of food packing and fracture and should be ideally sealed with a new temporary filling.

If the tooth fractures, the shape of the inlay cavity may change and the new inlay made by the lab will probably no longer fit the tooth cavity and the inlay may have to be remade.

So its better to see a dentist for a new temporary filling which can prevent food packing and sensitivity problems.